Hello and Welcome to my July news letter.
ABOVE - All the AHC Members who joined the International Healey Meeting in June posed outside the Chatham Historic Dockyard Ropery, built between 1786 and 1791, having just witnessed a demonstration of rope making which is still carried on today.
BELOW CLOCKWISE - Cars parked at Chatham. The amazing timber roof of the 1838 Covered Slipway. Orderly parking at the Village Hotel. Beautiful Leeds Castle
International Healey Meeting (IHM) 2024 – Southern Counties
As most of you will be aware it was Southern Counties turn to host the IHM this year and we did so at the Village Hotel near Maidstone in Kent. The event ran over four days from 23rd to 26th June, Sunday to Wednesday.
I could hardly believe our luck as the weather dawned bright and sunny on the Sunday as we made our way along the M25, M26 and M20 to the Hotel giving the team plenty of time to set up the Registration area complete with gifts, goodies, event guides and Rally Plates for all participants. Not forgetting signage and marshals in place to direct the cars to our dedicated and secure parking. The hotel staff were just amazing helping us every step along the way.
By late afternoon most cars had arrived and it was time to meet in our private bar for a welcome drink and chat with new and old friends followed by a BBQ/Hog Roast Buffet, a quick welcome chat about Monday from me then the highlight of the evening a special quiz prepared by our own Sally Goodson.
Monday - Leeds Castle
Monday we all went to Leeds Castle which combines the best Kent has to offer, a stunning location, beautiful scenery and loads of things to see and do including the interior of the Castle itself. Almost everyone arrived back at the hotel having had a good day out. I have to own up to the error on the Tulip Roadbook return trip but most people spotted it, without too much trouble. Unfortunately Piers and Anne’s Sprite ‘Cedric’, had a total electrical failure on the way back which needed recovery from the A229 but they felt a lot better after a G&T in the Bar.
(Rob Law from Orchard Restorations had been keeping a watching brief in case of breakdowns so came up on Wednesday morning to check on ‘Cedric’ and offer assistance to anyone else who needed a check before the journey home.)
Monday evening dinner was followed by an excellent quiz courtesy of Daniel, the Hotel General Manager.
Tuesday - Chatham Historic Dockyard
Fingers crossed we looked forward to Tuesday at Chatham Historic Dockyard. What did we get, just the hottest day of the year – sunshine, cars parked in front of the 1838 Covered Slipway and warships built at the Dockyard. So much history to see including the location where HMS Victory was constructed and the still working Ropery.
Eventually everyone was back at the hotel and looking forward to our Gala Dinner evening. Superb meal, Cornish Auction, which raised £700 for Prostate Cancer and Dancing till late to the Melodybeats.
Wednesday - Departure
Wednesday was a quiet morning with some people choosing to depart early and some choosing to do the river walk or a local trip. Everyone who stayed enjoyed the lunch time buffet and with farewells we all made our way home.
In summary we had forty-eight cars, thirteen of them from Southern Counties with the rest being spread across most of the other Centres.
Was it a successful event; I think so as I received many personal thanks a complementary emails from members who clearly enjoyed themselves. All I would add is that the success was attributable to all of the Southern Counties Team who delivered this and also to the staff and management at the Village Hotel for their willingness and desire to make it happen.
Future Events
21st July 2024 - Summer Picnic
Once again you are cordially invited to Jeff and Caroline’s Garden to relax and enjoy your own picnic with friends and new members. This is always a good event for new members to attend. So we will look forward to seeing you there. Please contact Jeff Snell via the Website.
10th August - Technical Day at Orchard Restorations
Rob was really disappointed to have to cancel his open day in June but has decided to try again in August. Always assured of a warm welcome at Orchard, Rob Law will be pleased to answer those questions you may have about your car or if its not running up to par he will probably find his magic screwdriver and solve the problem on the spot. So why not come down to the works at Horam, its a lovely run through the Sussex countryside. Please let Rob know via our Website that you will be coming so he can make sure that there is enough food on the BBQ!
11th August - Cranleigh Classic Car Show
Cranleigh Classic Car Show has been going for many years and continues to be very popular. There will be a AHC Club Area so if you want to go and be with other members please contact Geri Barnden via the Website.
17th August - Capel Classic Car Show
Having enjoyed Capel in the past we have had a break for a couple of years but we are back again this year with a Club area. The theme this year is Scandinavian cars and Bikes plus Sixty years of the Ford Mustang. Please contact Richard Ansell via the Website.
Monthly Social Meets (Noggin & Natters)
Please don’t forget the monthly social gatherings. All of you are invited to attend one of the five spread across our Centre; Surrey Oaks near Dorking, Kings Head at Bessels Green, Rose & Crown at Mundy Bois, Black Boys near Uckfield and the Well Diggers Arms at Petworth. Each has a dedicated member who sends out invitations each month by email and/or Whats App, checks the continuing suitability of the venue and ensures they are expecting a number of us to attend plus being there to be our Host for members.
It is very disappointing for them when they get no replies to their invitations but turn up anyway to find it’s just them and their partner. Dishartening for them and not good for our relationship with the venue. Clearly there is no expectation that anyone should attend but please, a response would be appreciated. Full details are available on our Website.
Future Changes for Southern Counties
I have been part of the Southern Counties Committee since 2006 and since 2019 I have had the Honour of being Chairman, leading a dedicated committee which has delivered much to improve and enhance the benefits of Southern Counties membership.
However in recent times I have become aware that my underlying views on the types of activities and events provided for the members are really based around my own expectations and desires and reasons why I bought an Austin Healey back in 2005. Quite simply since my late teens I had always wanted one; no other classic car would do. I did own an Austin Healey Sprite MkIV in the early seventies as a day car but that only served to set my desire for the big brother at some point.
My expectations on joining the Club were minimal; just to be around, learn about and travel anywhere with other owners was enough. My feeling now is that the reasons people buy our cars today and their expectations from club membership are different and would be better served by someone much younger than myself. Equally I am finding my current workload more than enough.
As a result I have decided to step down from the role of Chairman at the AGM in October. I have therefore instructed our Secretary Jonathan Woodrow to initiate the process to advertise and seek applicants for the role of Southern Counties Chairman from the wider Membership of the Centre. I am very happy to remain a member of the Committee for the foreseeable future.
With best Wishes
Dave Colwell